Since the steps of Six Sigma are basically DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control), measurement is an important key in the implementation of the system. Every task must be measured, or there will be no understanding of whether the task has succeeded. Without measurement, there can be no analysis to find the improvements that need to be made. Six Sigma professionals must decide whether they can develop their projects with the Hawthorne Effect in play, or whether they need to do their measurements in secret.
The Hawthorne Effect can change sluggish or unmotivated workers into dynamos of creative and efficient labor. Six Sigma project managers who see this phenomenon and realize its potential can use their knowledge of it for better success in their projects. The key is in gradually training the people to continue their positive attitudes even when they are not being observed.
However, there is also a phenomenon which has been brought to light by other Six Sigma project managers in which people try to do worse when they are observed. This is the Anti-Hawthorne Effect. Essentially this effect happens when workers are concerned that there will be negative consequences to their positive behaviors while they are being observed.
Workers may believe that if they work faster, they will always be expected to work faster and it will become hard to keep up on a continuing basis. They may think that if they do all the work with time to spare, then the newly ‘Six Sigma-ed’ Company will no longer need all the workers and they will lose their jobs.
There can even be a component of this based on social psychology, in which one group of workers will socially punish another group of workers for working too hard. This almost always happens behind the scenes, but it can go on during the same time period as when the measurements are taking place.
The Hawthorne Effect can have a very positive outcome in the overall scheme of the project. It is difficult to measure the effects of measuring effects, but if you are interested, you can compare a day that is measured openly with a day that is measured in secret by the Six Sigma project manager. In fact, it may be quite helpful to you in your project to know just how intense the Hawthorne Effect is being felt in your company, in order to follow the DMAIC steps to their conclusion.
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